Evening Standard - Comedy

Rocket science in Night of 400 Billion Stars

Tue, 30 Jun 2009 09:29:08 GMT

Robin Ince may not be the most mainstream comedian in the country but he is certainly the most intellectually audacious.

Are we there yet? Around the world with Michael Palin

Mon, 29 Jun 2009 14:31:23 GMT

Michael Palin kicked off the show, in aid of the Medical Foundation for the Care of Victims of Torture, by reflecting on two decades of travelling

Select magic moments in The Crack

Wed, 17 Jun 2009 09:47:58 GMT

When The Crack is good it is very good but only serious editing will make it great.

Jimeoin twitters on stage

Tue, 09 Jun 2009 09:30:26 GMT

For those who have had the pleasure of Jimeoin, they will still get plenty of laughs out of having the pleasure again.

Nina Conti and the missing link

Thu, 04 Jun 2009 12:11:10 GMT

Nina Conti's latest set Evolution is much more ambitious but nowhere near as advanced as her last show.

Raising a laugh for Orangaid

Tue, 02 Jun 2009 09:11:57 GMT

The Sumatran Orangutan Society does not monkey about when it comes to organising star-studded benefits.

Joan Rivers chews up her co-stars and spits them out

Thu, 28 May 2009 09:08:31 GMT

Joan Rivers could have done much of her bitchy, breathlessly funny show, as part of the Udderbelly Festival, in her sleep.

Sandra Bernhard 's art imitates her life

Wed, 27 May 2009 09:49:04 GMT

Sandra Bernhard has shrewdly homed in on the capital, where her full-on schtick has a loyal following.

Udderbelly will have us laughing all the way to Southbank

Wed, 27 May 2009 09:18:52 GMT

A new comedy festival in a cow-shaped tent by the Thames aims to bring some Edinburgh spirit to London.

Terrific yet odd celebrations for Comedy Store

Tue, 19 May 2009 09:02:06 GMT

There was a giggle of comedians on stage at the Comedy Store to celebrate the trailblazing club's 30th birthday.

Welsh wag Rob Brydon charms his fans

Thu, 14 May 2009 11:40:59 GMT

Rob Brydon quickly explained that he is not the edgiest comedian. He does not attract heroin-addicted Russell Brand fans, though he did have someone who had issues with Horlicks in High Wycombe.

A case of ale and farewell for Al Murray?

Mon, 11 May 2009 08:55:55 GMT

By the end of his UK tour Al Murray will have entertained a quarter of a million laugh-thirsty punters but this may be his peak.

Brendon Burns has simmering career

Wed, 06 May 2009 09:43:27 GMT

After a poor post-victory show in 2008 Brendon Burns is back on track on stage. Hot if not scorching.

Good value from Mark Maier

Fri, 01 May 2009 12:37:10 GMT

One certainly gets good value out of Mark Maier. Not only is he the star of this show, he is also his own support act.

Lucy Porter proves females are funny

Mon, 27 Apr 2009 10:37:14 GMT

At the Bloomsbury Theatre, Lucy Porter confirmed that women can obviously be as witty as men.

Stop Messing About makes a solo voyage

Thu, 23 Apr 2009 11:52:35 GMT

Stop Messing About is a jocular aside made in this affectionate recreation of a long-lost Kenneth Williams radio series.

Jeff Dunham should stick to the ringtones

Wed, 08 Apr 2009 10:02:36 GMT

Jeff Dunham is a broad stand-up with a few stand-out lines, some quirky dolls and plenty of predictable patter.

Dante shines through 'discombololation'

Mon, 06 Apr 2009 08:34:23 GMT

Roberto Benigni's enchanting appearance in front of a largely partisan crowd made the Theatre Royal feel more like La Scala.

Horne and Corden shrug off savagings with enthusiasm

Mon, 30 Mar 2009 08:55:56 GMT

James Corden bounced around like a tubby Tigger and Mathew Horne mainly played the straight man, Ernie to Corden's Eric, at the Albert Hall.

Garden trip for Laughter in Odd Places

Mon, 23 Mar 2009 11:48:06 GMT

Comedians can deal with hecklers but a flatulent dog onstage is another matter. You never know what to expect with Laughter in Odd Places.

Pippa Evans is consistently funny

Fri, 20 Mar 2009 10:42:58 GMT

Pippa Evans is young, elegant and talent oozes from every inch of her willowy frame.

Pajama Men go bananas

Thu, 19 Mar 2009 11:41:02 GMT

Every now and again a comedy show comes along that casts things in a new light. Pajama Men's Versus Vs Versus is that kind of show.

Phil Nichol is no less than full-on

Mon, 16 Mar 2009 09:33:53 GMT

Veritable cyclone of a performer Phil Nichol barely pauses for breath in his supercharged show.

Satirical bullseyes from Lewis Schaffer

Thu, 05 Mar 2009 10:46:50 GMT

Few comedians can grab a show by the scruff of the neck quite like Brooklyn-born, Peckham-based stand-up Lewis Schaffer.

Super hilarity from Andrew Maxwell

Mon, 23 Feb 2009 15:19:24 GMT

Sometimes Andrew Maxwell has such a keen eye he barely has to craft a gag. His Soho Theatre show was not so much a gig, more a comedy masterclass.